Today, cars are safer and more technologically advanced than ever before. While the cars of even just a decade ago required lots of care, maintenance and upkeep, today’s vehicles rarely need much more than routine professional maintenance.

There are a few things, however, that not even the finest engineers have been able to fix. One issue that still plagues modern drivers is the vulnerability of the windshield. Windshields are made of three layers of highly durable material—one outer layer of glass, a layer of composite plastic in the middle and then another layer of interior glass. This design prevents dangerous shards from flying away in the event of a collision, maximizes visibility and helps to prolong a given windshield’s lifespan.

Sometimes, however, something as small as a pebble can cause catastrophic damage to a windshield, necessitating its replacement. If you think that you may be in need of vehicle window repair in Walnut, CA, you may actually be in need of windshield replacement. Here are a few things that indicate whether or not you need to replace or repair your windshield:

The layer of glass that cracked: Because windshields consist of three distinctive layers, the layer that cracked often determines reparability. While they are rarer, cracks that affect the inner layer of glass, which faces in toward the car’s cabin, can never be repaired. If you have an inner-facing crack, it’s advisable to replace your windshield as soon as possible. Inner-facing cracks could affect the shatter-resistant abilities of your windshield.

The size of the crack: While the scope of windshield repair ultimately depends on your model of windscreen and the capabilities of the auto shop you’re relying on for your vehicle window repair in Walnut, CA, most windshield cracks that are three inches in length or smaller can be repaired. Similarly, chips that are smaller than a quarter can typically be repaired.

The depth of the crack: Deep windshield cracks and chips that penetrate through multiple layers of glass typically only occur in catastrophic accidents. Occasionally, however, there may be a deep crack that appears to be relatively small. While the depth of the crack won’t necessarily be visible to the naked eye, your window repair technician will be able to tell you if a crack is too deep to be safely repaired.

The location of the crack: Some cracks, particularly those that affect the far edges of the windshield, could pose a threat to the structural integrity of the glass. This could mean that the car’s ability to withstand a rollover event is substantially weakened. Additionally, any crack that is directly in front of the driver’s line of sight shouldn’t be repaired—crack repairs typically result in a small amount of visual distortion.

Since 1991, Pete’s Auto Body has been a trusted provider of vehicle window repair in Walnut, CA. We’re proud to provide our clients with the comprehensive services they need to safely and effectively operate their vehicles. To learn more about our range of auto body services, reach out to one of our friendly representatives today.